Nora Gillis

Bangor, Maine - Nora Mildred Marie (Latter) Gillis went home to be with the Lord, at 6:30 p.m. on August 27, 2025, at Ross Manor in Bangor, Maine. Her daughter, Cynthia, husband Maurice, and beloved companion, Carl Stecher, were at her side. Nora was born March 15, 1928, in Liscomb Mills, Nova Scotia, the daughter of Russell Roy and Myrtle (McDonald) Latter.

Nora left home at the age of seventeen during the war to work. Three years later, Nora left Nova Scotia when a recruiter came to hire girls to work at the cotton mill in St. Stephen, New Brunswick. She met her future husband, Gus, through friends there.

She was married to the late Lawrence "Gus" B. Gillis on June 19, 1948. Nora and Gus were married 65 years, until Gus passed in 2013. Nora was an at-home mother of five children until the youngest started school. She then worked 43 years in various locations, these included Seaman's Store and Cabins, Georgia-Pacific Cafeteria, Hathaway Shirt Factory, Barnard's Nursing Home, and then the very popular, Nora's Licensed Daycare in her own home. As a working mother Nora instilled in her children the value of an education and a strong work ethic. Gus and Nora resided in Baileyville, Maine, for most of their marriage and had strong connections to the Episcopal Churches in Woodland and Calais. They enjoyed the company of many friends through their activities. Their interests included business connections through Gus Gillis Orchestra, Gillis Radio and TV, Woodland Fire Department, square dancing, Dancing Grandmas, world travel to see grandchildren, gardening (especially flowers), bird-watching, attending WWII ship reunions, church suppers, and Applefest. Nora made friends at every place she worked.

Despite humble beginnings, Nora descends from several historical figures. She is a descendant of Mayflower Pilgrim Richard Warren, and New England Planters William Eagles and Stephen Strong.

In addition to her parents and husband, Gus, Nora was predeceased by four brothers, Gordon, Donald, Clayton, and Angus Latter. She is survived by her children, Russell (Lita), Beverly (Arthur Greene), Cynthia (Maurice Brown), Alane (Richard Gayton), Earle (Lisa), all a tremendous source of pride. Nora is also survived by grandchildren, Allan and Christopher Gillis, Vanessa Fernandez Greene (Juan C. Fernandez Inglesias), Meridith Greene Cross (Eben Cross), Nicholas Brown, (Barbara), Jennifer Johnson (Damian Lauer), Leslie Brown (Richard Staff), Christopher Bowker (Mariah), Keely Gayton (Dale Leonard), Julia Gillis (Wayne MacCabe) and Shawn Gillis (Kendra). She also leaves 19 great-grandchildren with one more arriving in October to make twenty.

A private family memorial will be held at a later date. Donations may be made in Nora's name to the Shriner's Hospital for Children, c/o Anah Shrine Center, 1404 Broadway, Bangor, ME 04401. Condolences to the family may be expressed at BrookingsSmith.com.